It Has Been A Busy Summer

WOW! July 24 already!!

This summer is flying by!

And we have been enjoying every bit of it!

June 29 we left on our two week vacation. We always plan our vacation time around the US Open Karate Championships in Orlando, FL and this year was no different.

We just took more time off than normal.

Frank and I wanted to see some of the sites between Abilene and Orlando that none of us had seen before. Originally we had planned to leave on Monday July 1, but if we left a day earlier we would have a little bit more time to play.

We didn't drive very far the first day, partly because we didn't think we were going to be able to leave as early as we did and secondly because I didn't measure our distances between stops very well. It all worked out ok though. Terrell, TX was our first stop and we got there early enough that Mattie got to swim for a long time.

This kid loves to swim!!



 

We got up pretty early to make it to our first stop. West Monroe, LA. We were headed to Duck Commander Headquarters. It was a surprise for Mattie. We love watching Duck Dynasty. The Robertson's are an amazing family that have held to their Christian values. We need more people like them on TV.

Looks just like it does on TV!

 

Then we headed on down the road. We had not planned to make any other site seeing stops but we missed a turn and while our GPS was getting us back on track, we passed this...

We all agreed we had time to stop!

 





We all love BPS and even though we didn't buy anything, we used the stop to eat lunch. And of course it was really good!

 

After we got back on course, we headed on to our Day 2 stop in Magee, MS. Again we got there early enough for Mattie to spend some time at the pool. And I needed to pick some things up at Walmart and it was just a stop light away, so very convenient for Katie and I to go by ourselves and not get lost.

 

We didn't have any stops planned for Day 3 because we needed to get on to Orlando and get in the hotel. It is about a six hour drive from Pensacola to Orlando with not much to see other than trees. But this time we got into some rain. And I mean it rained!!!!

Boy! Would we like to have this stuff back home!!!

 

It took us just a little longer than normal to get to Orlando because of the rain. There were some points when Frank was going about 50MPH because visibility was so bad! But we got there safely and all in one piece, checked in the hotel, ate at Joe's Crab Shack, Mattie and Katie hit the pool, then we settled in for the night. I had a lot of work to do and we had to be at the tournament site at 3:00PM to start getting things set up.

 

On Day 4 we had a yummy breakfast at the hotel, then I had to get to work. I had to turn two balloons covered in plaster of Paris into glitter filled coconuts and make a sign for each of Mattie's stations in her creative open. We packed Katie's Cricut and even though I had never used it, it didn't take me long to figure out how to get all my letters cut out. and Frank helped me get them glued on to the signs. We finished just in time to get to Coronado Springs and start unloading equipment. Well, I didn't unload anything, but everyone else did!!

All the material has to be unloaded off the trailer...

then unloaded again inside the building. It takes much more muscle and energy than I have these days.

 

After all this was done, it was time to find food, swim for a minute, the get to bed for another busy day.

 

 

Getting the tournament site ready for competition is always done on Day 5. It is always held at Disney's Coronado Springs resort. It is a great facility. When we walk in this is what it looks like...

 

And we have to get it ready for breaking (protecting the facility from the boards and bricks) 

 

And we also have to separate all the breaking material that everyone has ordered and get it ready for the competitors to pick it up.  

 All these bricks and boards will leave this building tomorrow in bits and pieces!!

 

 

We got finished early enough that we had some time to play, so we headed to Down Town Disney!

I wish I had this at my house!!!

 

 

We had time to go to a movie while we were there. Mattie wanted to see The Lone Ranger but it was all sold out so we saw Despicable Me 2. Just as good as the first and the most comfortable movie seats I have ever sat in!! Then it was back to the tournament to check in, get kinks worked out before the morning, the off to bed to get ready for competition.

 

Day 6 is what this vacation is all about, competing at the US Open Karate Championships. The WORLD'S largest karate competition. We have mad so many friends in the few years we have been going and that held true for this year as well. I must say, my family did very well this year. This was Katie's first year to compete and she was in two divisions and won them both!!! Frank won 3 firsts and one third. Mattie won 4 firsts and 1 second. She was so focused this year and her creative open stole the show. She had several of the masters tell her how much they enjoyed her performance. My family is amazing!!!

 

Competition took up the entire day, but Katie and Mattie did get out in time to go find some fireworks. It was Independence day after all!! It was a great day and we were ready to finish off with the ISKA competition on Saturday.

 

ISKA is by invitation only and is so much fun to watch. It is the Masters that we all love to watch. Frank helps on stage, helping to set up and to hold for the breakers, so he spends a lot more time there then the girls and I do. We headed down to the pool after Larry and Don did their creative,  then when Frank was finished he joined up. We decided to do a little bus hopping and went over to the Art of Animation resort. Frank and Mattie had never seen it and we had dinner there.

Then we headed back to the hotel to get ready to leave for Tampa on Sunday.

 

The drive to Tampa was nice. We got checked into the hotel, then headed over to Clearwater Beach to meet up with everyone else, spend some time in the ocean and have a cookout. Its what we do every year. It is a day to not have a real schedule because we all need a rest from all the rush of the competition. We had a lot of fun on Day 8 spending most of the day at the beach.

 

Day 9 was park day. We choose to go to Busch Gardens and it was a great decision!! We had a blast!! Great rides, beautiful park, and fantastic food!!!

Our visit was over come Tuesday morning, Day 10. We were headed to New Orleans. None of us had ever been there and decided to take a different route home so we could make a stop. It was a long drive and we arrived just in time to get checked into the hotel, find some supper and take a swim before it was bed time. We had some great food at a location recommended to us by the hotel. We were all very full. The child's hamburger that Mattie ordered could have fed three kids her size and Katie and I were so glad we decided to split something! It was more than enough for both of us!

Yummy!!!!

 

 

I had told Frank there was only one place that I really wanted to go while we were in New Orleans, and he kept his promise and we had breakfast there on Day 11

Café Du Monde, a must stop in NOLA!!

 

After a little site seeing and some shopping, we got back on the road and headed to my cousin's house in Kingwood. We stayed the night there and had a great time visiting, it just wasn't long enough!!!

 

On Day 12 we headed for home. It was a relaxed drive, well for us anyway! Frank won't let anyone else drive but he doesn't seem to mind!!

 

It was so nice to get home, but we are ready to do it all over again next year!!

 

We had a couple of days to relax before Frank had to go back to work and I was ready for my next surgery. I hope to have my video of our travels ready and posted in the next few days.

 

I will also have a post ready for you about my surgery.

 

In all this time away from home and seeing more of God's great creation that we have seen, it more evident than ever that,

 

Everything is going to be ok!!!

 

Until next time,

God Bless 





It's My Cancerversarry!!

June 29, 2012 - I was getting ready for bed when I found it, and my life has been changed forever.

So how do I really feel about this past year?

It has been an awesome blessing and I thank God for it everyday.

Most people don't understand that.

The most important thing, it has grown my relationship with God. It has made me so much more thankful for waking up in the mornings and thankful for my healthy family.

I've always been pretty much an optimist, but I have been able to find the good in everything lately, even in having breast cancer.

During this past year I have been amazed that the truly selfless people in my life and I have learned how to get rid of the truly selfish people that said they were my friends.

It has brought me sisters that have gone through this, are going through this or are just in the beginning for their journey and looking for help. It's an unfortunate community but it is on that has helped me through this.

And what does the next year bring?

Who knows.

I know I will continue to heal, make changes for a healthier life, and continue to try to help those that are just starting their lives with cancer.

I will have some surgeries to rebuild my body.

But most importantly I will continue to grow in spirit and faith, knowing that God will continue guide each step I take. And because of this faith, I also know that whatever happens,

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time, God bless.

Follow Up Time

Tomorrow I head back to Texas Oncology for my six month check up.

Really?!

I can't believe it's already been six months since my last round of chemo.

I am looking forward to this visit. I have lots of questions.

Monday, June 10,  I went to a new GYN. I didn't actually see her, but her nurse practitioner, Stacey. I really like her. She made me feel very comfortable and it was very easy to ask her questions. And I was loaded with them.

This was, after all, my first yearly check up since my cancer.

She understood all of my concerns and ordered some test.

And she must have put a rush on everything, because I had all the results by Thursday June 14!! WOW! I've never had results back that fast!

Pap results were clear of cervical cancer! Yay! One small victory down!

Had blood test and sonogram on Wednesday June 13.

Blood test negative for ovarian cancer! YAY! Small victory #2!

Sonogram showed a small spot on my uterus. Stacey made two suggestions. It is probably a small fibrous cyst and we should do another sonogram in six months to look at it again. And to talk to my oncologist to get his opinion on waiting the six months.

She also said some people that have had breast cancer and showed a spot like this would choose to have a hysterectomy. But she strongly suggested talking to my oncologist before making that decision.

I told her I would and that I had a check up coming up with him soon, I just couldn't remember when it was but that I would call and find out.

The next morning before I had a chance to call, oncology called me with my reminder for my check up on June 19,

That worked out nicely!

So I go tomorrow feeling confident in how things have been going.

I can't wait for my appointment. I have missed all my team over the past six months.

Even though I only had two victories out of three test, I don't feel that the third was a failure, just a temporary delay in getting the results I am hoping for.

I have an awesome God that has made some amazing miracles this week in friends fighting other battles and I know he will do the same for me.

Whatever choices I am given tomorrow, I know in my heart that...

Everything is going to be OK!

Until next time,
God bless.

A Willful Waste is a Woeful Want

My grandmother used to tell us that all the time,

especially when we were wasting something!

And this really hit home the other night when Mattie was getting ready for bed and needed to brush her teeth.

She squeezed the tube and nothing came out.

There was still some in there, I could see it in the tube.

 

So I got the bright idea to cut it open in hopes to get a little out for the night until I could get to the store.

I couldn't believe what I found!!

 

There was enough in there to last probably two more weeks!!

 

I mean seriously! She has a small mouth and she's loosing teeth almost faster than the tooth fairy can come pick them up so it doesn't take much each time she brushes.

 

So my thought is, if I had already bought more toothpaste because I knew she was almost out, I would have wasted all this that remained.

 

I wonder how many things we buy that we throw out before we really should.

 

I'm not really a penny pincher but I think I am going to start paying more attention to the things I am doing around the house.

 

I know this isn't really a plan to save the world or anything, but it is something to make me think about what I am doing.

 

But no matter what I decide to do with toothpaste in my future,

 

Everything is going to be OK.

 

Until next time, God bless.



Lazy Days of Summer

I think they have started early this year.

I have always thought the "lazy days" were in August when the temperature is almost unbearable and we have to start getting ready for the first days of school.

But for the past 30+ years, I have been working during this time and wasn't quite so lazy.

Well I'm not working and I'm getting pretty lazy.

Katie and I have been working on some cleaning out of cabinets to get ready for a garage sale and I have been working getting our breaking team ready for the US Open.

Other than that, pretty lazy.

Mattie is at karate camp this week but next week she will be home with us.

Katie and I have pinned a lot of science activities over on Pinterest for her.

We are going to have to crazy outside summer fun next week.

I hope everyone is having a great summer so far.

No matter what you have planned for the summer or if you actually have a job that you get to go to, please remember,

Everything is going to be OK.

God bless.

WOW Time Flies

This morning I fixed Mattie breakfast and packed her lunch for the last time this school year.

I can't believe that she is going to be a second grader come tomorrow!!!!

Am I really old enough to have a second grade granddaughter?!

This is her the first day of first grade -

 

And this was just last week -

She is still an amazing little girl with a bright future. She loves school and looks forward to where she will be next year.

Love her so much.

And she has nursed me right through this cancer and has learned the lesson too, that no matter what life throws at us, as long as we keep God number one, that...

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time,
God bless.

 

Memorial Monday

Monday was Memorial Day.

We are so thankful for the members of our families that served in the armed forces. Our US Military is awesome.

Ernest Mixon served in the US Army

Bill Merkel served in the US Air Force

Albert Zbendin served in the US Air Force

Thank you so much.

It was a busy day for us.

AMMA Karate was asked to participate in the Memorial Day festivities at the Abilene Bombers Arena Football half time show.

We started out the day with practice. Eighteen members participated in the show. Well that's to say "performed". That doesn't include all the behind the scenes people that helped. Someone has to set up, hold boards, bricks, bats and coconuts, take video and pictures, and clean up. We could not do this with out help.

Practice went great, but of course there were last minute changes. One thing about this team, they can work on the fly. Shihan is good about seeing things at the last minute that could make the show better. So our team is trained, from the littlest at 5 to the oldest at 52, to make changes just minutes before the show.

After practice, we had some lunch and rest time. Katie got Mattie bathed and hair washed so we didn't have to do it when we got home after the ball game. And Mattie wanted her hair curled so it had to be washed first.

We had to be back at the dojo for one last run through and to load everything in the trailer. Some day I'm going to remember to take a picture of the loaded trailer. You just can't imagine how much stuff it takes to do a 12 minute demo!!!

We got to watch the football game until about 12 minutes left in the second quarter, then the team had to head down to get ready.

 

Savanna, Mattie & Rayven getting ready!

 

 

It is always surprising to me how quickly a show goes.

 

Even practice seems slower than the actual event.

 



 

On the field ready to go!

 

 

Littles doing their thing!

 

Elbow done, ready for foot,

 

Weird picture!

She is actually just going into her front roll!

 

Mattie and Rayven starting their self defense skit.

 

Really?! Those big kids are going to mess with these girls?!

 

OK! We're ready!

 

Take that big guys!

 

Really?! You want more?!

LOL

 

Sai Kata

She had not done it in over a year and she did

very well!

 

Katie & Frank broke too,

I just couldn't get to that end of the field

to get a picture.

Don't remember the mascot's name.

Sorry!

Mattie and Rayven rockin' out to some Michael Jackson

after halftime!

 

Noah and Mattie enjoying a bird's eye view of the game.

 

We had a lot of fun at the game.

 

We even stayed until Mattie got tired even though it was a school night. There are , after all, only 3 1/2 days left!

 

So it was a busy, but memorable Memorial Day, and it reminds us, as always,

No matter what happens, what we are handed in this life,

 

Everything is going to be OK.

 

Until next time,

God bless. 

Super Sunday

Today was just a nice relaxed Sunday.

I love when we get to have those.

Frank and I started our morning with my B12 injection.

He is still doing a great job.

We went to church, out to mom's to check out her house after the terrible winds we've had this past week, then a quick lunch.

After lunch, we got to relax for just a bit before we had to head out to the dojo for a birthday party and some breaking practice.

Our team is doing a breaking demo at the Abilene Bombers Arena Football game or we wouldn't have had a practice on a holiday weekend.

We were hungry after practice and Frank was ready to cookout.

I didn't want to go to the grocery store, so I started digging in the freezer to see what we had to cook.

There was not enough of any one thing, so we made a smorgasbord of food. Bonus! I now have a clean freezer with room for more food!!

Mattie stayed the night at Rayven's so it's just a really quiet night around here.

We have to be back to practice in the morning at 9:00, so it will be an early night for us.

Yes, we know it is a holiday weekend.

I am so thankful for all the service men and women who have protected, are protecting and will continue to protect this wonderful country we live in. I hope everyone remembers to say a prayer for these awesome people tomorrow.

As we enjoy the rest of our weekend, no matter what is going on in your life, please remember...

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time, God bless.

I Think He Missed His Calling

Yesterday started the B12 shots.

I can't give them to myself, no way!!

So that left the job to Frank.

Bless his heart. He has had to do so much for me during all this.

Love him more every day!!!

He had to be at work at 7:00AM and didn't want to just give the injection and run. He was afraid I might pass out.

I usually only pass out when they draw blood, not from an injection.

He got up about 30 minutes early to get ready, I had put everything out the night before.

We got Katie up. She wanted to see him do it just in case she has to do it some day. She did after all used to work in an allergist office and has given a few injections, just not to her big chicken momma!

He did everything like the doctor and video told him to do, and...

He did better than a lot of nurses I've had! No pain at all!!!

Way to go Honey!!!

Katie stayed in the bed with me just in case I had some type of reaction. She went right to sleep!!!

Great help!!

I felt great.

Saturday morning we did the same thing again!

I guess I stressed about all this for nothing.

Just five more daily shots then we are on to the weekly shots for four weeks, the it will be monthly.

After stressing for a couple of days, I guess now I will remember...

Everything is going to be OK!

Until next time, God bless!

Seriously??? More Needles!!

And these I have to do myself!!!

Last week, before I met with Dr. Bennett (the plastic surgeon), I had to have a blood draw for test for Dr. Mauther (gastroenterologist). They were a bit concerned about my B12 and I showed to be a bit anemic.

So I will start taking a daily iron tablet.

But the B12 is not quite so easy.

My levels are so low, he wants to build them up rather quickly. A tablet won't work. I have to have injections...

daily...

for three months!!!

Not a real happy camper right now!

Am I not happy because I have to have daily injections?  NO

Because I have to do them daily? No

Then it must be the fact that I have to do this for three month? NO

It is because I have to do them at home.

I don't like getting stuck by a needle by people that have been trained to do this.

So imagine the horror scenarios that keep going through my mind!

I know there are people that do this all the time several times a day because they are diabetic, but not me.

I hate needles!!

After I do these injections for three months, then I will do them once a week for a few months and then once a month.

I hope this will give me some long lost energy.

I really need to get ready for the neighborhood garage sale next month.

And clean my house!!!

Now I am not sure if this is a forever thing or how long I will have to do these injections, but the important thing to get the B12 back up. However long I have to do these injections, I do know one thing...

Everything is going to be OK.

God bless.

Reconstruction is Set

I called this morning and set up my surgery.

It is set for July 16.

That is not the soonest they had, but she doesn't want me to travel within three weeks of the surgery.

We leave for the US Open on July 1, and there was nothing available before June 18, only two weeks out. I'm sure it will be for the best.

Now, I realize I just went to the plastic surgeon yesterday. But this wasn't my first consultation with her.

I was originally going to have immediate reconstruction after my mastectomy but changed my mind at the last minute.

Because the reconstruction is not immediate, there are a few minor changes to the procedure but nothing really big.

And I also have been doing a lot of research on the different types of reconstruction.

On the top of my list was the DIEP flap, I had not talked to the plastic surgeon about it. I had several questions that applied to my personal case that couldn't be answered by research on the computer.

After getting those questions answered, talking to Frank and doing just a little bit more research, it was easy to make the decision that I was going to have the reconstruction using silicone implants as I had originally chosen.

Will I be happy with that decision? I don't know. I haven't done it yet.

Can it be changed in the future? Yes, so who knows how I will feel about it in a few years. I may decide to just go to nothing.

Is there anything that any one of us can no for certain about the future? Not really. But I do know that whatever happens...

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time,
God bless.

Visit with the Plastic Surgeon

This is not my first visit with the plastic surgeon, but my second. I did visit with her before my mastectomy because I was planning on immediate reconstruction. But less than 24 hours before the surgery, I decided I wanted to wait on the reconstruction, so a few things have changed.

And I've had more time to research the procedures.

So I did pretty good on my research, and after visiting with Dr. Bennett again, reminded that this is my journey, but I am not the one in the lead. God is.

Going in today, I thought I really wanted to go with the DIEP (pronounced deep). This is where they take the stomach fat and maybe a little muscle, and move it up and around to make the new breast. So in essence, you not only get new boobs, but a tummy tuck in the process. And knowing that from our last visit that the implants may not be the size I want, well I have LOTS of stomach fat to make new boobs.

But she also told me about the SIEA flap (pronounced S. I. E. A.,  all of these flap names come from the muscles they use to build the breast. I learned that today too.). In this surgery, only the stomach fat is used. So going into an SIEA flap you could come out having had a DIEP flap if they had to use any muscle.

Dr. Bennett was very confident that I would do very well with the SIEA flap, and that I probably wouldn't even be required to loose any weight before the procedure (that is based on BMI). The only problem is the DIEP and SIEA flap procedures are not offered in Abilene. They require two surgical teams and we don't have the right teams here to offer it. However, Dr. Bennett is very familiar with the surgeons at the nearest place and she highly recommended them if that is what I decided to do.

But here are the cons -

• The hospital, Scott & White in Temple, is three hours away from Abilene.
• It would require at least one overnight stay in the hospital, with possibly more depending on how well I did.
• The surgery itself is about 12 hours long.
• I would have at least four drain tubes, and we all know how found I was of  those dang balls from my mastectomy.

I haven't talked to Frank, but I think I am going to go on with what I had originally planned. I will have the expanders put in and just go with the implants. I've talked to several friends that have had different procedures and I just really feel this is the one for me.

She said he left me really good skin flaps and their is probably some fatty tissue in there that she could use along with the implants, she just won't know for sure until she gets in there.

However, there is one more downer. I probably can't start the procedure until July. The earliest she could get me in is not soon enough for me to have enough recovery time before our trip to Florida. But I would probably be finished before the end of the year and that is very important to me too.

And she also said that the DIEP and SIEA flaps can be done later if I don't like the implants. So even though I don't think I want that now, it can be done later.

So now it's just a waiting game until I make up my mind. Frank and I have talked about it a lot lately, of course, because that is the next step. I hope tomorrow I can call her and set up the surgery date.

I am so blessed to be where I am and able to have the reconstruction done. And even though it's not what I expected, I feel it is just another reminder that It may be my journey, but I am not in control. I have to listen to Him and stay positive and remind myself that

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time,
God bless!

Let's Talk Hair

I have had a lot of people comment on my hair lately.

 

We've all been excited to see it regrow...

 

expecting chemo curls and ending up with none.

 

I've always had straight hair and was really kind of looking forward to having unruly curls.

 

But it just wasn't meant to be.

 

But along with my hair, I was also lucky enough to loose my eyebrows and eyelashes. I didn't loose those until after my last round of chemo. And although they grew back rather quickly, they have become dormant again and have quit growing.

 

Sorry for the quality of the following picture, but it will serve it's purpose.

 

The eyebrow is there, but I have had to fill in with a brow brush. And the lashes are really short and straight too. They are not long enough to curl or add mascara.



 

It doesn't look to bad, until you look at an angle. The hairs are short and stick straight out. You can also see how the lashes stick straight out too.  

But, just like the brow brush to remedy the thin, straight brow hairs, I have a remedy for the lashes as well.

 

I have taught myself how to apply false eyelashes! They don't always cooperate and some days I have Lucille Ball eyes, they are better than short, stubby lashes.

 

My hair has come back in a pretty cute hair style all it's own. I've always liked short hair and, well, I think I kind of rock this one!!! 

 

But Katie did point out to me that I need to stop putting my reading glasses on the top of my head because the are leaving a hole! 

 

Oops! Guess this time I better listen to the kid! I have a cute eyeglass chain for my glasses but just feel like that is too old lady for me just yet!!! I'll figure out something.

 

I hope everyone is having a great day and remember, no matter what your journey is in your life right now, as long as you have God on your side...

 

Everything is going to be OK!!

 

Until next time,

God Bless

 

 

Caregivers

I had a really hard time sleeping last night. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the four hour nap I got to take on Mother's Day, but rather all the things running through my mind.

Part of my bedtime routine are  my prayers which I am sure a lot of you do the same.

There are several people that have been heavy on my heart lately as they are early in their journey with different types of cancers and chemotherapy. Their families have been helping us with our prayers by requesting specific things for us to pray for.

This is what got me to thinking....

Are all of the prayer warriors remembering to pray for these "caregivers"?

My hubby, daughter, mom, dad, and my BFF have been my most active caregivers. But there are also those that would drop me a short little note in the mail, give me a quick text message to let me know they were thinking about me, send me a silly little video to make me laugh, and even someone dropping what they were doing to run get me an orange soda when nothing else tasted good.

So the next time you say your prayers, please remember the caregivers of all those people you are praying for too. They are the ones that, in my opinion, are working hard for the patient and often neglect to take care of themselves. They need lots of prayers too. I couldn't have made it through all this without people taking care of me and giving my body time to heal.

And to all of you caregivers, nothing you do for us is too small. Sometimes just the thought of knowing you are there is enough to make us want to keep fighting through the worst. And remember as you struggle with watching your loved one suffer,

Everything is going to be OK.

God Bless

SB Capsule is Down the Tubes

My morning started at the doctor's office at 8:15 to take the SB Capsule, the camera pill.
It went down without any problems.

Well, with lots of water it went down.

It's such a pretty little pill...

shame it will get flushed down the toilet.

She handed it to me in it's fancy little container.

Here's it's close up,

Just for a size comparison, I put it next to a quarter.

Not to bad, unless you have trouble swallowing pills, which I do not.

The rest of the day I get to wear this nice little get up.





















No bending, or stooping.

NO HOUSE CLEANING!!! That was a tough one to get over, NOT!!!

So after two days of clear liquids, I finally get to eat...

Between 11:00 & 1:00 I get to have...

are your ready for this?

A bowl of chicken noodle soup!! Woo Hoo!!

After 10:00, I get to have all the water, tea, or Gatorade that I want, as long as it's not purple or red.

Then I go back to the doctor's office at 4:00 to have the recorder taken off. Then guess what I get to eat?

ANYTHING I WANT!!!!

I just hope I don't pass out from not eating before then!!!

But this day too shall pass, probably much too soon. And after talking to the nurse that administers this SB Capsule test, I shouldn't have any problems with this pill and everything is

going To Be OK!!!

Until next time,
God Bless

I Really Messed Up This Time

Yes, I have been MIA from my blog for a long while. Sorry. I just haven't "felt bloggy" lately.

I'm fine. Every test I've bee through since my last treatment has come back with good results. That's not why I have been missing.

Like I said, I just haven't felt it.

So let me just start from where I am now.

I really messed up this time.

Oh. I'll survive.

I'm just a little, no, a lot mad at myself.

Back on March 1, I had to have an EDG and a colonoscopy due to the bleeding issues I had during my chemo. Both test went smoothly and the results were just what we wanted to hear, everything looked good and normal.

Relief for me.

However, (isn't there always a "however"?) there is a section of my gastrointestinal tract that neither procedure could see.

So...

Due to modern medical procedures,  I get to swallow a camera pill!

Pretty cool if you ask me. It is bundled up in a neat and tidy capsule. Looks pretty much like any other pill, just really large!

Just like a colonoscopy, there is a prep day involved. Nothing nearly as drastic as prepping for a colonoscopy, but prep none the less.

Clear liquids, no reds or purples, broths, Jello (but I only like red!) and no sodas (not a problem either).

Then at 6:00 PM a nice little dose of Magnesium Citrate. Lemon flavored. Never had it before, but it's lemon. How bad could it be?

Yesterday morning, Tuesday, I woke up, fixed Mattie and Katie breakfast and me a really nice large glass of water.

Ice water so I could crunch the ice and fool my stomach that I was actually eating something.

Around lunch I fixed me a nice yummy cup of beef broth and another glass of water.

For snacks during the day I had ice water as well, again with lots of ice to crunch.

For supper, I fixed a really large cup of chicken broth with another glass of ice water.

At 6:00 PM, I treated myself to a small cup of Magnesium Citrate, lemon flavored. It even has a little bit of  "effervescence" so it was a little bubbly going down.

Let me also say, the MC was also like a glass of lemon aid on steroids. It really made my jaws lock. But I got it down.

And the MC starts working it's magic a little slower than some of the stuff I've had to take in the past, but it does work. Try it if you ever have a little trouble "going", just take the recommended dosage, not what you have to take for a "cleanse"! LOL

The rest of the night I had, you guessed it, lots of ice water.

When I was setting my alarm clock so I wouldn't miss my appointment for the pill, I pulled up my calendar to check the time.

But on my calendar, I had that my prep day was Wednesday May 8 and that I was scheduled to take the pill on Thursday, May 9.

That had to be wrong.

I had prepped all day!!!

I go pull my paperwork from the doctor and guess what?!

My prep day is May 8!!!!

I just wanted to cry!

It was way to late to call the doctor. So I did what I'm sure anyone else would do.

I fixed me a big bowl of cereal and followed it with a big hunk of cheese! That maybe doesn't sound very good to the rest of you, but believe you me, that was just what my stomach ordered.

So today, Wednesday May 8, I woke up and started my prep (again) so I can take the camera pill in the morning Tuesday May 9.

I actually feel less hungry today then I did yesterday.

I know that all over this world, including USA, there are people that would love to have a bowl of cereal and hunk of cheese at least once a week because they have nothing else to eat.

This was just a little hiccup in my week and I'm thankful for what I have.

Tomorrow I will get up and go take my camera pill and enjoy my day.

It's just a little adventure during this journey I'm on and as always I know

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time,

God Bless.

A Hard Time Keeping Up

Well, keeping up with this blog during my chemo proved to be more than I thought. I didn't do a very good job. But the good news is...

CHEMO IS FINISHED!!!

My last treatment was December 31, 2012. It was so nice to finish, but I was really tired this time. For my fifth and sixth rounds, Dr. Melnyk had thought about lowering my dosage, but then decided I could handle the full amount. That was great, until January 7. My white blood cell counts got so low and I got dehydrated again, so I ended up in the hospital for the night. They pumped me full of fluids and antibiotics, along with something to get those white blood cells back up. I feel lucky that was the only time I ended up in the hospital during chemo. I have talked to a lot of people that ended up there several times. 

Since it's been three months since my last update and not a lot of new things. So I just want to list a few things I learned that might help someone else going through this same thing.

Don't forget the lemon drops

One of my friends at church had a friend that sucked on lemon drops during chemo to help cut the taste, so she sent me some. How right she was! I wish I would have known this from the beginning. It seems like as soon as they start the Adriamycin, I could taste it, but the lemon drops made it not so bad.

Keep that positive attitude
I have always considered myself to be an optimistic person, but cancer? How can I be optimistic through that? Well it is possible. Surround yourself with positive people. Smile as much as you can.  Laugh, and laugh a lot. Laugh about everything. My grandmother taught me there is humor in everything and she was right. This sounds really strange I know, but there is a lot of humor in cancer and the treatment that comes with it.

Have faith
God put me on this journey for some reason. I may never figure out what that reason is, but I am going to do my best to do what I think he is telling me to do. And that takes faith. I have never been good at talking to people about the faith I have in God, but I have made myself tell others about Him through the cancer.

Now just a quick update of what I have to look forward to.

I had a colonoscopy and EDG last Friday. These were done because of the bleeding issues I talked about before and my gastroenterologist said that breast cancer likes to move to the colon and the stomach so he would check that too. He said everything looked great, but there was a portion of the intestine that he couldn't get to, but we will talk about what to do about that at my follow up appointment in April.

Next week I have a nuclear bone scan and will be radioactive for a few hours. This is one test that I am really looking forward too. My bones have been aching for awhile and I am ready to see what the problem is. Then a week later I have a CT on my chest and some lab work. After that, I don't know. But I will get to see Dr. Melnyk. I haven't seen him since January and we have some catching up to do. I have some questions all ready for him.

And one more thing to remember

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time, God Bless.